Installing a bike carrier

We put our bike carrier on the back of the towed vehicle. Works best for going to trail heads etc. as already stated.

Also, have you ever used a bike cover?
We have tried 2 different ones and they were such a hassle that we returned one to Camping World and the other (cheaper one), we just discarded. We said heck with it, and now we just put covers over the seats. We do have rather good bikes and take care of our equipment, but those bike covers proved to be more trouble than they were worth.

snicky wrote:
I would prefer to add to the tow vehicle and it would cost less. The problem is that I would like to use a bike cover to protect the bikes and then the tow vehicle license plate would be covered which isn't legal, although I know it isn't always enforced.

If you can work it out, you're way better off with your bikes on the toad. Works out better, when going to and from bike trails as well.
We've found after it's all said and done, the hitch haul works best and with a slight mod, was able to add two more bikes. Whether in use or not, two bikes can be move back there, freeing up the hitch haul for cargo and one never knows what they will pick up along the way.
Can't really open the back door of the Jeep with it on there, but hey, they all come with some sacrifice.
FOR EXAMPLE

I would prefer to add to the tow vehicle and it would cost less. The problem is that I would like to use a bike cover to protect the bikes and then the tow vehicle license plate would be covered which isn't legal, although I know it isn't always enforced.

You could add it to the tow vehicle.

I need to clarify, I want to add a (2) bicycle rack. I'm concerned that the tow vehicle weighs (4300#'s) more than what the dual receiver extension is rated at (4000#'s)

I have a dual, from Harbor Freight, its weight limit is 4000#. You might check with their website.

https://www.harborfreight.com/Dual-Hitch-Extender-69881.html

I had it extended in height/separation by 6 inches so it would clear the hood on my toad, plus I can use it for the bike rack and the cargo tray, otherwise the cargo tray is hard to use.

For Rear Lifts have your front & rear axle weighted when loaded for travel. Then you can add on the extra weight of a lift by below.

Measure the distance from the center of rear axle to the center of the weight(Lift)

Divide that number by the RV’s wheelbase.

Multiply the result by 100 to get percent.
That percent of the load is added to the load and becomes the total load added to the rear axle.
That percent of the load is subtracted from the front axle weight and unloads the front axle by that amount.

800 lb bike, Lift 100 lb=900 lb
Center axle to rear 120” wheelbase 240”
120 divide by 240=0.50 X 100= 50%

Weight is 1350 lb added to rear axle
Front axle will be 450 lbs lighter